Nigeria: Amnesty International Nigeria held a joint press conference with the community of Durumi 3 — a community subjected to forced evictions by the authorities of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Director Amnesty International Nigeria Osai Ojigho made the following calls on the FCT Abuja authorities:
—To immediately halt plans for further demolitions.
—Consider all feasible alternatives to evictions in genuine consultation with all affected people.
—Provide appropriate resettlement and adequate compensation for all affected persons.
—Government must provide all necessary amenities, including health centers, portable water, electricity, market, habitable houses, chief’s palace, places of worship, cemetery, good road network and schools.
Earlier, Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian Authorities to immediately release Inibehe Effiong from arbitrary detention and drop all charges against him as due process was not followed in his committal. The entire process was a travesty of justice and a direct affront to his lawful professional duty as a lawyer.
The right to fair and public hearing must be observed at every turn during judicial proceedings. This includes access to the courts and by extension, to journalists who wish to observe, record, report and disseminate court proceedings for the public.
Amnesty International calls on the Minister of FCT Muhammed Musa Bello to immediately halt plans for further demolitions at Durumi 3 community, where about 100 structures have been demolished, rendering some residents homeless and several without livelihoods. Forced eviction is a gross violation of human rights which in particular deprives people of the right to adequate housing.
At about 9 am on Wednesday, 17 August 2022, staff of the FCT’s Department of Development Control, personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and some other security agencies drove into Durumi 3 community with payloader vehicles and demolished about a hundred structures, including houses, markets, church, and mosque.
Personnel of the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police tear-gassed and physically assaulted residents. Some residents sustained injuries and several children were exposed to tear gas, resulting in two children fainting. Residents of Durumi 3 community are currently under fear, as the Department of Development Control have threatened to return to demolish all structures including hundreds of houses.
